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Jared Cullen eagerly waited his turn, while about six other kids watched, attempting to learn the rules.
The School of Technology and Arts I kids were enjoying their weekly early release day through a partnership with the Mathy Club.
The Mathy Club began opening its doors to the students this fall to give children a place to go after school lets out and before the Hamilton Boys & Girls Club after-school program begins, said Sarah Wendland, site director.
The Hamilton basement previously had been used for activities, but Wendland said they were moved to take advantage of the Mathy Center’s space.
“We just hang out with our friends,” said Jade Howell, a fifth-grade student at SOTA I, who just had finished her math homework with fellow fifth-graders Natalie Stehly and Maggie McConahay. “We do crazy stuff like running around and playing games.”
The SOTA I school bell rings at 11:35 a.m. Wednesdays to offset longer class hours on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at the charter school, housed in Hamilton Elementary, said Principal Nancy Matchett.
The schedule allows teachers a block of time for team planning for the kindergarten through fifth-grade students enrolled, Matchett said.
About 45 kids stay at Hamilton Elementary School/SOTA I for lunch and then walk with a team leader to the club for several hours of activities before returning to the Hamilton After-School Program and the Boys & Girls Club at the school.
“It’s a good fit,” she said. “A lot of parents work and don’t have other options.”
Some parents use the early dismissal day as a time for music lessons or other activities, Matchett added.
Zach Schiffer spent his afternoon trying to master the computer game RuneScape.
“It’s kind of fun to get out of school a little early and play some games,” the SOTA I fourth-grader said. “I like to hang out with my friends and not do so much hard work.”
Autumn Grooms can be reached at (608) 791-8424 or agrooms@lacrossetribune.com.
